Calderdale Flood Relief Appeal hits the £2m mark

The Calderdale Flood Relief Appeal, set up in the wake of the devastating Boxing Day floods, has reached a whopping £2m.

Five weeks on from the deluge, the extraordinary outpouring of support towards the appeal, co-ordinated by the Community Foundation for Calderdale, shows no sign of stopping as the pounds continue to pile up.

The deadline for Government match funding is February 5, but it’s hoped that more money will be made available for this from the Government as the appeal continues to grow.

The foundation said it will continue to lobby Government through Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker to get the funding pot increased to £4m.

Steve Duncan, chief executive of the foundation, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. The outpouring of support has been truly incredible.

“People have been doing all sorts of different things to raise money for the appeal.”

The money is already helping those in need - Mr Duncan said money had already been given in emergency grants and businesses have been supported through the Calderdale Rising initiative.

But the appeal doesn’t stop there and it’s hoped that a Watermark Fund can be set up to ensure money is in the bank should flooding hit again.